Library Street Collective co-founders Anthony and JJ Curis announced plans to open a new 2.5-acre public arts campus in Detroit’s East Village. Dubbed the Shepherd, the space is a 110-year old Romanesque-style church, formerly known as the Good Shepherd, which will be transformed into a cultural arts center with multi-faceted programming focused on exhibitions, public projects, and performance.
The design of the new space was led by architecture firm Peterson Rich Office (PRO), who have opted to keep the original look intact, but have added two new galleries, alongside a public library, classroom and workshop. The ethereal new project seeks to blur the lines between a commercial gallery, institution, and community arts center — providing an excellent opportunity for collaboration for artists, both locally and abroad.
“By working closely with the local community, this new project will be an accessible and creative arts center that we can all be proud of in Detroit. We look forward to unveiling the larger plans for the cultural district in the coming months,” said Rochelle Riley, director of the City of Detroit’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship.
In conjunction with the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), the Shepherd’s inaugural exhibition will feature a retrospective look on one of the city’s most revered artists — the late Charles McGee — who passed away roughly a year ago. Just outside the church, a garden titled the Charles McGee Legacy Park will also invite audiences to play alongside three massive sculptures. “My father loved the city of Detroit and its people,” said Lyndsay McGee, Charles’ daughter, adding, “There is no better legacy for him than a meditative place that has the express purpose of enabling the public, especially children and younger generations, to experience and be inspired by art.”
The Shepherd will be completed later this year, in which time it will be handed over to the City of Detroit.
In other art-related news, Kumkum Fernando turns found materials into mystical sculptures.
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